The result of NIPSA’s ballot on industrial action for the 30th November
is a clear demonstration that public sector workers are prepared to
fight to defend their pensions. (NIPSA - the Northern Ireland Public Sector Alliance covers union members across the civil and public service and the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland)

But even more so, the fact that 43% of workers voted in the ballot is
a sign that the mood is solid and also determined.

Here are the
official ballot results:

In Favour of Strike Action

12,366

(66.87%)

Against Strike Action

6,126

(33.13%)

In Favour of Action Short of Strike Action

14,985

(81.66%)

Against Action Short of Strike Action

3,365

(18.34%)

The turnout was

42.98%

The General Council also made clear the reasons why they were
unimpressed with the Tory/Lib Dem coalitions so called amended
proposals:

There was no withdrawal or alternative to the plans to
significantly increase employee contributions at a time when salaries
were effectively frozen.

The government would not restore the inflation mechanism for
uprating public service pensions in payment from the Consumer Price
Index to the Retail Price Index.

The government still expect public servants to work until 66
(with effect from 2020) before they receive their public service
pension.

NIPSA General Council 7th November 2011

As we have reported the strike action on November 30th
will be on a scale unprecedented for decades. The political
implications in the North of the economic crisis are still playing
themselves out. One thing is for certain, neither Sinn Féin nor the DUP
have any answer to what is the deepest crisis in world capitalism for
generations.

An eruption of the class struggle in the North would demonstrate the
potential that exists to fight for a better future. Unity in struggle is
the basis for genuine workers unity, workers unity is a concrete
question not a mere slogan. The Tories attack on pensions affects
Catholic Workers and Protestant workers also.

One thing is for certain a
public sector general strike will affect the consciousness of all
classes in the North. As James Connolly said in relation to the struggle
for the eight hour day in Belfast in 1913 “the forces of Labour generally seem to be gathering for a battle of battles for the things that really matter.”

Video blog

The European Crisis & the Rise of SYRIZA and PODEMOS
Joint event between Cambridge Syriza, Circulo Podemos and Cambridge Marxist Society
In Greece and Spain, both of which are at the centre of the European Crisis, left wing parties are growing at tremendous speed. Syriza, which only received 13 seats in Greek Parliament in 2009, won on 149 seats just two seats short of an absolute majority on Sunday. Podemos, which launched last January, have got 1.24m votes in the European Elections in May and are now leading the Spanish polls. After the historical win of Syriza, join us at 7pm in the Munby Room, King’s College, to discuss this amazing resurgence of the European left, its future and the role that Marxists can play in this movement.
Speakers:
Thomas Jeffrey Miley, Circulo Podemos Cambridge
Haris Rotsos, Syriza Cambridge
Arturo Zoffmann Rodriguez, Oxford Marxist Society & Circulo Podemos Oxford

In this recording from the International Marxist Tendency Winter School 2014 on 2nd November 2014, Jorge Martin - International Secretary of the Hands Off Venezuela campaign - discusses the case of the 43 students that have been abducted in Ayotzinapa, Mexico, and explains the political and social background to these events: a background of corruption, anger, and mass protest in Mexican society.

Jorge Martin from the Steering Committee of the "Solidarity with the Anti-Fascist Resistance in the Ukraine" campaign discusses the latest developments in the long-running crisis in Ukraine and the actions being taken internationally to support those resisting fascism in the country.
http://www.socialist.net/ukraine-nato-hypocrisy-over-russian-invasion-as-kiev-suffers-defeat.htm

Hamid Alizadeh, editor of the Iranian Marxist paper and website mobareze.org and writer for www.marxist.com, discusses the latest developments in the Iraq and Syria, the strategy of US imperialism, and the role of the ISIS.

Daniel Morley of the Editorial Board of Socialist Appeal comments on the recent elections in Britain and Europe, and in particular analyses the rise of UKIP and the contradictions within Farage's party.
http://www.socialist.net/2014-elections-a-blow-to-the-coalition.htm

Daniel Morley, writer on China for www.marxist.com, discusses the events of the Tian'anmen Square Movement of 1989 - a heroic struggle that was brutally crushed 25 years ago - and comments on the rising class struggle in China today.
http://www.socialist.net/twenty-five-years-on-what-will-another-tiananmen-square-uprising-look-like.htm

Over the past weeks tensions have been rising in Ukraine. Offices of left-wing organisations and trade unions have been raided and the "acting government" has started proceedings to ban the Communist Party. Along with the building up of several armed bodies composed mainly of fascists and Nazi elements it is clear that the regime is stepping up the civil war against the peoples of the East. In the meantime Russia and Germany, for their own interests, are trying to broker a deal. Jorge Martin explains the situation from a Marxist point of view and makes an appeal to build solidarity with Ukranian anti-fascists.

Ben Gliniecki, editor of www.marxiststudent.com, explains the latest developments in Thailand, where the popular and democratically elected Prime Minister has been pushed aside by the courts. Tensions are high between the workers and peasants in the Red Shirt movement and the reactionary forces amongst the Yellow Shirts.
http://www.socialist.net/coup-and-crisis-in-thailand-red-shirts-must-strike-back.htm

Alan Woods, editor of www.marxist.com, analyses the latest developments in Ukraine, including the significance of the recent referendums in the eastern regions.
Read more at http://www.socialist.net/ukraine-rebels-reject-kiev-rule.htm